St. Joseph's Hospice Merseyside’s Post

Giving your time, love, and support to those closest to you can make the season brighter for everyone. Sometimes, a simple conversation, a shared moment, or just a little bit of your time means more than any wrapped gift. 🎁 #HolidayGiving #LoveAndSupport #SeasonOfConnection #VantageHealthSystem

What we dream of isn’t always what’s meant to be—and that’s a beautiful thing. Like many parents, I once envisioned Christmas mornings filled with the chaos of kids jumping on the bed, pulling me downstairs to dive into stockings and tear through gifts. But life had other plans, and what unfolded became far more meaningful than I ever imagined. When Layne was little, we didn’t have her until noon on Christmas Day. Santa would come, but stockings and gifts waited until she arrived. It wasn’t what I pictured, but it worked. Then, as we grew into a blended family, this tradition continued. Now, 22 years later, it’s Christmas morning, and my 17-, 14- and 11-year-olds are still asleep. Santa came, but stockings and gifts remain untouched—because they’re waiting for their sister. This tradition, rooted in patience and connection, has become a reflection of the love and unity we’ve built as a family. It’s a reminder that the vision we hold for our lives might evolve into something even more beautiful when we embrace change, flexibility, and mutual respect. In my work with families, I see the power of rewriting the story—of finding strength, stability, and purpose in places we didn’t expect. This Christmas morning, I’m filled with gratitude for what we’ve created and for the lessons these moments continue to teach. Here’s to the unexpected traditions that bring us closer, to the families redefining connection, and to the beauty of growing together. Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all! With gratitude, Trina❤️ #FamilyTraditions #Gratitude #BlendedFamilyLove #HolidayMagic #RedefiningFamily #UnexpectedBlessings #PatienceAndLove #ConnectionMatters #GrowthAndGratitude #StrengthInChange #BeH2O #TheLayneProject

This is the busiest time of year for Thrivent Action Teams. The spirit of giving is in the air. Loving our neighbors, sharing our resources and doing the good works are just a few things that make this time of year a little extra special. You still have time to apply for your Thrivent Action team! Here are 5 Great Ways to use them: 1. For an angel/giving tree. If you don't know where to find one, use your Action Team to start one at your church, school or office. 2. Help supply a family or two in need with a meal and Christmas gifts. 3. Bring Christmas cheer with Christmas treats, decorations and company to shut-ins or nursing homes. 4. Make your own "Secret Santa" gifts and hand out in your community to spread cheer. 5. Host a Christmas breakfast or treat table for your church, school or favorite organization. If you need more ideas, feel free to call our office 507-637-8139 and ask for Amber. Reminder, you just have to apply for your Action Team by the end of the year not to lose it, you don't have to use it by the end of the year! Hope this is helpful. Looking forward to seeing you Thrivent Action Team in use. www.Thrivent.com/Redwood #livegenerously #ThriventActionTeam See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.

🎄 The Final Countdown to Christmas Break 🎄 The last week of school is here and for many parents, the countdown to holiday fun (and chaos!) has begun. As a parent who is severely sight impaired, the upcoming weeks pose some unique challenges. With my husband working for much of the holiday season, I’ll need to be creative to keep my children entertained without the luxury of hopping in the car and heading out at a moment’s notice. 🚗❌ It’s not always easy, but with a little planning and a lot of patience, I’m determined to make these holidays special for my kids. Whether it’s crafting, storytelling, going out for walks or imaginative play, I’m finding ways to adapt and make memories that matter. 🖍️📚🍪 To all the parents out there juggling work, family and accessibility challenges, you're not alone. Let’s inspire each other with ideas, share tips, and remind ourselves that it’s not about perfection; it’s about presence. 💛 Wishing everyone a joyful and stress-free (or as close as we can get!) Christmas break. 🎅✨ #ParentingChallenges #AccessibilityMatters #SeverelySightImpaired #FamilyFun #ChristmasBreak #WorkingParents #MakingMemories #AdaptAndThrive #InclusionMatters #HolidaySeason #EDI

Christmas Joy or Christmas Trigger? Let’s Be Mindful This Festive Season For many, Christmas is a time of celebration and joy, but for some participants, it can be a painful reminder of loss or the life they’ve never had. As support workers and providers, it’s crucial to maintain professional boundaries and be mindful of how we share our personal experiences. What brings us joy might unintentionally trigger others. This season, let’s focus on providing compassionate, tailored support to help participants feel valued and understood.

We've all heard of the iconic Naughty or Nice List - a staple fixture in making sure Christmas runs smoothly; but thanks to a combination of global population change, legacy approaches to evidence management, and technology that had not kept pace with digital change, this Christmas staple simply wasn’t keeping up. Massive mistakes were creeping in, leaving well-behaved children marked as Naughty—and raising some serious questions about Christmas equity. This ultimately left our client, Mr. Claus, struggling to meet the demanding deadlines of the holiday season; and for an operation built on magic and trust, this was a Christmas morning wake-up call. Alexander Thring, one of our Senior Consultants, said: "Transforming Christmas can't happen in a silo; you can't skip a year just to make change happen! We're often asked to change the tyre whilst the car is in motion, but we weren't prepared to unwrap) just how hard Santa's elves have to work to keep the magic of Christmas going. We couldn't help but think there was a better way - and we're really proud of what we've enabled Santa's Workshop to deliver." Stay tuned to see how Santa’s Workshop tackled one of the biggest festive challenges ever! #ServiceDesign #DesignThinking #ChristmasSpirit #DigitalTransformation #ChangeManagement

17 Ways to Celebrate #Thanksgiving at your Primary Care Practice: 1. Celebrate Thanksgiving with festive fall decorations 2. Share a Thanksgiving themed treat 3. Give back and volunteer as a group 4. Build a “wall of thanks” 5. Celebrate Thanksgiving in a culturally appropriate way 6. Show your employees you’re thankful for them and all they do 7. Screen Thanksgiving-themed movies for your patients while they wait 8. Hold a recipe contest 9. Host your own Great Thanksgiving Pie Bake-Off 10. Organize a team hike 11. Host a gratitude workshop 12. Provide a hot chocolate bar 13. Coordinate a “bring a pie to work day” 14. Share Thanksgiving traditions 15. Have a “campfire” party during lunch 16. Arrange an “anything-but-turkey” lunch 17. Host a cocktail party Details on The Intake: https://lnkd.in/g5JDKSCw

🌿 Exciting News: Care Cottage Crates Is Here! 🌿 After being laid off in August, I found myself reflecting deeply on what truly matters—connection, care, and those small but powerful moments that remind us we’re not alone. That reflection led my sister and I to launch Care Cottage Crates. Colleen Rodenbeck and I have spent years navigating the demands of the corporate world, and we know firsthand how hard it can be to find time to show love and care—for others and for yourself. Deadlines, meetings, and endless to-do lists often leave little room for nurturing meaningful connections or taking a moment to recharge. That’s why we created Care Cottage Crates—to help busy, caring individuals save time while sharing thoughtful, intentional gifts that offer the recipient (or even yourself) a much-needed moment of calm, care, and connection. Inside each crate, you’ll find carefully chosen hand made or designed items, a card with a gentle prompt to inspire connection, and a curated playlist to encourage pause and reflection. Every detail is designed to remind you—or the recipient—to take a deep breath, recharge, and savor the moment. ✨ What’s Next: While we’re dreaming big for 2025, including meaningful corporate gifting solutions, we’d love to be part of your holiday season this year. Whether it’s a heartfelt gift for a team member, loved one, or even yourself, we’re here to make those moments of care easy and memorable. I’d be so grateful for your support as we build this dream into something special. If you’d like to follow along, join our newsletter for updates, inspiration, and a little behind-the-scenes magic. Newsletter sign up link in comments ✨ Thank you to my incredible network of friends, partners, teammates, founders, and leaders—you’ve inspired me more than you know. I can’t wait to share what’s next. #CareCottageCrates #NewBeginnings #IntentionalLiving #ThoughtfulGifting

🎄✨ What Christmas Eve Means for Families: A Night of Family & Togetherness ❤️🎁 Christmas Eve is more than just the day before Christmas—it’s a magical time filled with love, tradition, and connection. For families, it holds a special place in the heart. Here’s why: 1️⃣ Cherished Traditions 🎅🕯️ Decorating Together: Families often gather to put the final touches on the Christmas tree, stringing lights and hanging ornaments that carry memories. Candlelight Services: Many families attend church services, singing carols and reflecting on the spirit of giving. Storytelling: Reading classic tales like ’Twas the Night Before Christmas creates lasting memories for kids. 2️⃣ Quality Time ❤️🎶 Game Nights: Board games or card games bring laughter and fun to the table. Movie Marathons: Watching Christmas classics like Home Alone or Elf cozied up with hot cocoa. Shared Meals: Preparing (and sneaking tastes of) holiday dishes together strengthens family bonds. 3️⃣ Acts of Giving 🤝🎁 Exchanging Gifts: Thoughtful gestures that symbolize love and appreciation for each other. Giving Back: Families often volunteer or donate to those in need, teaching children the importance of kindness. 4️⃣ Building Anticipation 🌟🎄 Setting Out Cookies for Santa: A fun ritual that keeps the magic alive for kids. Excited Whispers: Kids staying up late, eager to hear reindeer hooves on the roof. 5️⃣ Reflecting & Connecting 💫🙏 Christmas Eve is a time to pause and reflect on the blessings of the year, share stories, and create new memories with loved ones. ✨ The Magic of Christmas Eve It’s not just the gifts under the tree but the presence of family and the joy of togetherness that make this night so special. Whether it’s through laughter, traditions, or quiet reflection, Christmas Eve is a reminder of the love that binds us all. How does your family celebrate Christmas Eve? Share your traditions below! 🎅🎄 #ChristmasEve #FamilyTraditions #HolidayMagic

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